'Never backed any film, poster': Mahua Moitra clarifies amid 'Kaali' row
Asked at the event for her views on the controversy, Mahua Moitra had spoken about her version, or her personal idea, of the goddess as a 'meat-eating, alcohol-accepting goddess'.
Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on Tuesday evening clarified comments made earlier in the day - at a media event in Delhi - about Kali, stressing that she had spoken about her personal conceptualisation of the goddess and had 'NEVER backed any film or poster or mentioned the word smoking'.
"To all you sanghis - lying will NOT make you better hindus. Suggest you visit my Maa Kali in Tarapith to see what food & drink is offered as bhog. Joy Ma Tara," the Lok Sabha MP tweeted.
There is a massive controversy over filmmaker Leena Manimekali's new film 'Kaali' - for which a poster shows the goddess smoking and also holding a rainbow flag - a globally recognised symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer pride.
Asked at the event for her views on the controversy, Mahua Moitra had spoken about her version, or her personal idea, of the goddess as a 'meat-eating, alcohol-accepting goddess'.
"... within Hinduism, being a Kali worshipper I have the freedom to imagine my Kali in that way... that is my freedom and I don't think anyone's sentiments should be hurt. I have the freedom... as much as you have to worship your god," she said at the event.
Mahua Moitra has stressed that her comments do not reflect support of any movie or poster.
The Trinamool Congress has responded by saying the party does not endorse Mahua Moitra's comments, which, as the parliamentarian stressed at the event, were her personal thoughts.
"The comments made by Mahua Moitra... and her views expressed on Goddess Kali have been made in her personal capacity and are NOT ENDORSED BY THE PARTY in ANY MANNER OR FORM," the party tweeted.
The poster showing the goddess Kali smoking triggered fury on social media and prompted the Indian High Commission in Toronto to ask for the posters to be removed.
Police cases have been filed against Leena Manimekalai and two others in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The filmmaker tweeted on Monday saying, "I have nothing to lose. Till the time I live, I wish to live with a voice that speaks what I believe without fear. If the price for that is my life, it can be given.
Meanwhile, the TMC party has distanced itself from Moitra's comments. “The comments made by Mahua Moitra at the India Today Conclave East 2022 and her views expressed on Goddess Kali have been made in her personal capacity and are NOT ENDORSED BY THE PARTY in ANY MANNER OR FORM," it tweeted.
(With agency inputs)
